| |
The Electric Car
The electric car is fast approaching the top of the list of alternative transportation methods being looked at (both for the present and in the immediate and distant future). As we define what constitutes an all electric vehicle, we need to also define other types of vehicles that use electric power along with other sources of power. We need to understand exactly what an all-electric vehicle (EV) really is. Other types of cars (other than all-electric) are not exactly electric vehicles – in the clear definition of the term.
An electric vehicle is a vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in battery packs that are rechargeable, and electric motors and controllers for those motors instead of (in place of) an internal combustion engine (ICE).Vehicles that use both internal combustion engines and electric motors are actually (and correctly) termed
hybrid vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles are not the same as electric vehicles (EVs) – primarily because they use what is known as a charge-sustaining technology. In a hybrid vehicle, the batteries are externally charged to assist, or help displace, some of the work being done by the internal combustion engine. These hybrid vehicles are termed as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The category of electric vehicles (EVs) now includes automobiles, small neighborhood electric vehicles, and light trucks. We’re going to list the currently available electric vehicles below. We’ll also talk about what the future holds for electric vehicles. We’ll list the companies that will be making these EVs available to the public for purchase and use. And, we’ll discuss future developments for EVs that are “in the works” right now.
Benefits of Using Electric Vehicles The list of benefits that can be derived from using electric vehicles is almost limitless. But, here are the most obvious benefits:
1.) No Exhaust/Pollution - Electric power produces no exhaust fumes, and very little, if any, pollution from charging.
2.) Acceleration exceeds that of traditional vehicles - All electric vehicles that have currently been built (through the present-day) have far exceeded the acceleration speeds of traditional, internal combustion engine powered vehicles. (In some cases, these acceleration speeds have put combustion engines to “shame”)
3.) Reduce dependence on petroleum - Using electric cars would reduce (and almost eliminate) dependence on petroleum. Foreign oil would no longer be needed by the more developed countries of the world, if they switched most of their ground vehicles to electric.
4.) Greenhouse gas emissions decreased/eliminated - It goes without saying, but switching to electric vehicles would significantly decrease (if not eliminate) man-made greenhouse gases (depending on how they are charged/powered) – good for the environment.
5.) Cheaper to maintain - Electric vehicles are easily expected to be cheaper to maintain than internal combustion engine vehicles. This is primarily because they have fewer moving parts than petroleum engine vehicles.
6.) Energy usage/recovery exceeds ICEs - Systems on electric vehicles (such as regenerative braking and flywheels) allow recovery of some of the energy used during acceleration. On internal combustion engines, 80% of the energy used in burning the fuel is wasted and cannot be recovered.
|
Current LimitationsThe history of EVs and PHEVs (until presently) has been full of limitations which have slowed the progress of EV usage becoming a reality. Some of those limitations include: - Charging Time - Rechargeable batteries have taken such long periods of time to recharge after use, that they were still considered “inconvenient”.
- Limited Travel Distance - Distance that could be traveled between battery replacements has been very limited, so use of electric vehicles has consequently been limited to primarily city usage.
- Battery Lifespan - The lifespans of most rechargeable batteries has been limited, and this decreases the ease of usage to those with an electric car.
- Battery Cost - By far, the biggest factor limiting electric car usage on a wide scale is the cost (not only of the initial vehicle purchase) but of the batteries themselves.
Most of these issues are slowly being resolved by manufacturers and distributors as further research has rendered better, longer lasting, and cheaper rechargeable batteries. We also have the laptop, cellphone, and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) markets to thank for these improvements. The good news for electric powered vehicles is that these limitations are now quickly becoming “a thing of the past.” The future looks brighter for electric car technology as more and more people become interested and available funding increases. Most importantly, the overall cost of fossil fuel is on the rise, causing paradigm shifts in our everyday thinking - and a greater awareness of these alternative energy technologies.
Electric Production VehiclesThe following table lists all production models of EVs that have been manufactured and the stats for each one: | Model | Years in Production | Top Speed | Cost | Range | | Baker Electric | 1899-1915 | 14 mph | US$2300 or €1,700 | 50 miles (80 km) | | The Detroit Electric | 1907–1939 | 20 mph 32 km/h | US$3,000 or €2,250 | 80 mi (130 km) | | Henney Kilowatt | 1958–1960 | 60 mph 97 km/h | Unknown | Unknown | | Skoda Favorit | 1992-1994 | 50 mph 80 km/h | US$20,000 | 50 mi (80 km) | | General Motors EV1 | 1996–2003 | 80 mph 129 km/h | US$40,000 or €30,000 | 160 mi (257 km) | | Honda EV Plus | 1997–1999 | 80 mph 130 km/h | US$53,000 or €40,000 | 110 mi (180 km) | | Toyota RAV4 EV | 1997–2002 | 78 mph 125 km/h | US$40,000 or €30,00 | 87 mi (140 km) | | Ford Ranger EV | 1998–2002 | Uknown | US$50,000 or €37,600 | 74 mi (119 km) | | Nissan Altra EV | 1998–2000 | 75 mph 120 km/h | US$470/month lease only | 120 mi (193 km) | | TH!NK City | 1999–2002 | 56 mph 90 km/h | Unknown | 53 mi (85 km) | | REVA | 2001– | 45 mph 72 km/h | US$15,000 or €11,900 | 50 mi (80 km) | | ZAP Xebra from China | 2006– | 36 mph 60 km/h | $10,000 or €7,500 | 20 mi (32 km) | | Tesla Roadster | 2008– | 130 mph 210 km/h | US$92,000 or €69,120 | 220 mi (350 km) |
As you can see, some of these models were the original electric car production models that actually began the era of electric vehicle production. Some of those on the list are still currently available from the manufacturers, and others are soon going to be available for purchase (depending on your location). If you're really feeling pioneering, and you'd like to convert the old gas-guzzler vehicle of yours to an all electric vehicle, Bob Brant has written a really good book called
Build Your Own Electric Vehicle.
In it, he explains step by step how to build an inexpensive EV from a kit or convert an existing internal combustion engine car into an electric.
Return from Electric Car to Alternative Energy Transportation
Return from Electric Car to Home

|